Light Bulb Franchise Educates Local Consumers and Businesses about New Energy Saving Lighting Options.

Starting this year, the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) requires all new light bulbs to be manufactured at a 25% more energy efficient level in order to improve energy savings and reduce carbon footprints. As of January 1, 2012, 100W incandescent light bulbs can no longer be manufactured or imported, and over the next few years the U.S. light bulb industry will continue to undergo a massive, confusing overhaul that the average consumer or business may not be prepared for.

January 1, 2013 will be the last day 75W incandescent light bulbs can be manufactured for sale while January 1, 2014 will be the final day that 60W and 40W incandescent light bulbs will be manufactured for sale. California continues to be 1 year ahead of the rest of the nation in regards to the incandescent phase out dates and as of January 1, 2012 California businesses could no longer manufacture or import 75W incandescent bulbs.

Suppliers who have inventory of these light bulbs prior to these dates will be able to continue to sell through their remaining products. Consumers can also continue to purchase and use these incandescent light bulbs while they are available. The incandescent phase out/ban will not apply to all incandescent light bulbs, just those that are not energy efficient. Specialty light bulbs like appliance, 3-Way, colored, chandelier, plant-grow, and heavy-duty rough service light bulbs, among others won't be affected.

Because of the impact this legislation will have on consumers and businesses, Batteries Plus is working to educate and prepare communities across the nation about the various replacement lighting options available to them. The incandescent phase-out will make way for more innovative and efficient light bulb choices such as energy saving halogen light bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light emitting diode (LED) light bulbs. Batteries Plus has developed a stronghold in communities nationwide with a distinctive niche that offers a comprehensive selection of batteries, battery-related products and technical support, as well as an extensive selection of thousands of light bulb options for a variety of fixtures. Batteries Plus' light bulb products include everything from the norm, such as light bulbs for recessed lighting, track lighting, HID light bulbs and fluorescent tubes to the extra ordinary light bulbs for cars, healthcare equipment, aquariums, projectors, and much more.

Here are some quick tips regarding energy saving lighting options from the experts at Batteries Plus;

Newer energy efficient light bulbs last much longer than current incandescent bulbs, which only have an average life of about 1,000 hours. In comparison:

• Halogen - Halogen light bulbs look like incandescent light bulbs but are about 25 percent more efficient, lasting up to four times longer. The average life of a Halogen light bulb is about 2,000-4,000 hours.
• CFL - CFLs use about 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs. The average life of a CFL is about 8,000-12,000 hours.
• LED - LEDs use at least 75 percent less energy and last up to 15 times longer. LEDs cost more to purchase but have an average life of about 25,000-50,000 hours. They are dimmable, mercury-free, and are the most efficient and longest lasting light bulb on the market.

Lighting experts at Batteries Plus, who receive a minimum of 24 hours of online light bulb training and continual classroom training and support, can show customers the value of switching from incandescent bulbs to LEDs, CFLs, or halogens, and can recommend various color temperature options depending on the application. Batteries Plus also serves businesses with their lighting needs for emergency lights, exit signs, parking lot lights, ceiling lights, and vehicle lights among other applications. Many local utilities are offering businesses and consumers financial incentives to get them to switch out older energy hungry light bulbs with the newer energy saving light bulbs. Batteries Plus can educate consumers about the financial incentives and help them save both energy and money.

"Batteries Plus lighting experts are well equipped to guide customers through this confusing but necessary process," said Russ Reynolds, CEO of Batteries Plus. "We look forward to helping consumers and businesses not only improve their energy footprint but also match them with the best light bulbs and fixtures for their office or home."